Actor Eric Stanton Betts talks about the digital age, and the importance of empathy

Eric Stanton Betts. Photo Credit: Dexter Brown Photography

Actor Eric Stanton Betts chatted about the digital age, and the importance of empathy.

Daily motivations

On his daily motivations, he said, “I am married, and I have two dogs. I just wake up every day and I’m full of gratitude. I’m always chasing the next big thing as far as jobs and auditions go.”

“I am motivated to one day be able to provide completely for my family, and that keeps me going. Each day, I am full of gratitude, and I get to challenge myself day in and day out with my acting, running, and working out at the gym. I am just full of gratitude,” he said.

The digital age

On being an actor in the digital age, he stated, “The digital age makes the world so much bigger and so much smaller at the same time. It’s fascinating that you connect with somebody really quickly and easily from here to Australia in the blink of an eye, and at the same time it’s scary.”

“If we lean into the positive aspects of the digital age, we can create community and hopefully, good community, and share good and positive messages. That way, we can really empower a lot of people,” he explained.

“That way, we can share experiences, cultures, and teach people about empathy and one another. That way, we can have more of a connection to them,” he added.

The significance of empathy

He went on to underscore the importance of empathy, especially in this day and age. “It is so important to have empathy for those around us,” he said. “What is exciting about Mister USA is that I get to meet people from all over. I’ve traveled a bit overseas, and I’ve spent time in Asia, Europe, Mexico, and one of the greatest things we can do is open our hearts and minds to people not like us.”

“What we need to do, as a human race, is just broaden our capacity for empathy and our patience with one another. That will really help solve one of our issues,” he added.

Mister Tennessee in the Mister USA competition

He is looking forward to competing in the Mister USA 2024 competition, where he will be representing the state of Tennessee.

Mister USA is an American pageant, which is held annually, and the winner goes on to represent the United States in the “Mister Universe” competition. It celebrates culture, diversity, beauty, intelligence, and empowerment. It is not solely about outer beauty; it recognizes the inner beauty and intelligence of their contestants.

“My dad was born in Tennessee, and that’s the roots on how I am able to rep Tennessee. I grew up mostly in Michigan. I went to school in New York and now I live in California,” he said.

This competition will be held on August 11, 2024, in Hollywood. The winner of Mister USA will subsequently represent USA at “Mister Universe” on September 28, 2024, at The Biltmore in Los Angeles.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Hitting my Stride.”

“I feel that I am picking up steam and I’m moving along,” he said. “I’m doing things that I want to be doing and I’m accomplishing the goals that I have set for myself.”

“Recently, I’ve shot a few movies, a couple of big-budget films such as a western, and it was so fun,” he admitted. “Also, even more recently, I flew to Atlanta where I filmed a new Tyler Perry movie.”

Advice for young and aspiring actors

For young and aspiring actors, he said, “If you imagine doing anything else, then go do that. You need to have commitment. Performing is where I am always meant to be, and sharing that feeling with an audience in a theatre is the most gratifying thing in the world.”

Superpower of choice

His superpower of choice would be “having the ability to manipulate the weather” such as Storm in X-Men. “That way, you can cheer someone up by snapping your fingers by making the rain go away,” he said.

Success

“At the top of each mountain is the bottom of the next. So, to me, success is knowing that once you reach the top of one mountain, that’s the bottom of the next, and you just keep climbing. As long as you keep going, that’s a success.”

Fans and supporters

For his fans and supporters, he expressed, “A huge thank you, to my family, my mom and dad (they are my biggest cheerleaders ever), as well my brother, my husband. They champion me all the time, and I am really grateful for that. I hope they are proud of me, and I hope that I make them proud.”

To learn more about actor Eric Stanton Betts, follow him on Instagram, and check out his official website.